Sarwar puts ‘condition’ to join PTI

ISLAMABAD – Former Punjab governor Chaudhry Muhmmad Sarwar on Sunday called on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan at his house in Bani Gala.

Imran Khan on the occasion formally invited the former governor to join the PTI. PTI leader Jehangir Tareen was also present during the meeting.

According to sources, the former governor demanded from the PTI chief that he will only join the party if Imran forms a shadow cabinet. Sarwar spoke to Imran about his resignation as Punjab governor during the meeting.
The PTI chief appreciated his principled stand for resigning from his post.

The former governor resigned last month because of what he said was his failure to achieve the goals he had set for himself while assuming the office on Aug 5, 2013. He had complained about rising crime, helplessness of victims before oppressors and the power of land mafia which he said was “more influential than the governor”.

Sarwar stated that every third Pakistani was a victim of the land mafia and the government needed to look into this problem. The former governor alleged that 95 per cent of the Pakistani people were under the control of 5 per cent of the population.

He said he stood for democracy where even a common man’s son could get the same opportunities and rights as those of the elite. The former governor also stated that he had no intention of reapplying for British citizenship or joining Imran’s PTI.

The PTI also confirmed that the former governor met Imran and the two leaders’ meeting was held in friendly and pleasant atmosphere.

Talking to this correspondent, a PTI spokesman Chaudhry Rizwan said that Chaudhry Sarwar did not join PTI as yet but PTI chief Imran Khan had asked him to join the party and he will formally reply within days. Earlier, the former governor had announced to take part in the country’s politics.